U.S. patent application number 13/209060 was filed with the patent office on 2013-02-14 for location-based automated check-in to a social network recognized location using a token.
This patent application is currently assigned to DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC., A DELAWARE CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is Adam S. Parish. Invention is credited to Adam S. Parish.
Application Number | 20130040654 13/209060 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47677848 |
Filed Date | 2013-02-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130040654 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Parish; Adam S. |
February 14, 2013 |
LOCATION-BASED AUTOMATED CHECK-IN TO A SOCIAL NETWORK RECOGNIZED
LOCATION USING A TOKEN
Abstract
A user with a user account on a social network uses an interface
to communicate user identification information and the user's
intent to participate in a social network application. The user
also communicates an identifier associated with an entitlement
token to the social network application. When a server receives,
from a device at a fixed location, a message indicative of the
user's presence at the fixed location as determined by the receipt
of the identifier and a site specific identifier, the server
generates and sends a communication sufficient to cause the social
network to implement a behavior as if the user had generated a
message to the social network from their mobile device.
Inventors: |
Parish; Adam S.;
(Windermere, FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Parish; Adam S. |
Windermere |
FL |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC., A
DELAWARE CORPORATION
Burbank
CA
|
Family ID: |
47677848 |
Appl. No.: |
13/209060 |
Filed: |
August 12, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
455/456.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 4/21 20180201; H04W
12/06 20130101; H04L 63/0807 20130101; H04W 4/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/456.1 |
International
Class: |
H04W 4/02 20090101
H04W004/02 |
Claims
1. A method for enabling participation in a social network, the
method comprising: receiving user identification information
including an identifier associated with an entitlement token and a
user indication of intent to participate in a location-based
service; and receiving, from a device at a fixed location, a first
message responsive to presentment of the entitlement token and
including an identifier associated with the fixed location and
formatted for a location-based service interface associated with a
social network, the first message sufficient to cause the social
network to implement at least one behavior.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of receiving user
identification information and a user indication of intent to
participate is communicated via a website.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the user identification
information is associated with an entitlement token.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the entitlement token is selected
from the group consisting of a printed ticket, a gift card, a
resort benefit card, and an encoded image.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first message sufficient to
cause the social network to implement the at least one behavior
comprises communicating a user status as if the user had sent a
second message from a mobile device.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein communicating a user status is
responsive to periodic analysis of an information table.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein periodic analysis of the
information table confirms presentment of a user's entitlement
token to establish a presumed presence of the user at a specific
location.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving, from a device at a
fixed location, the first message formatted for a location-based
service interface associated with a social network comprises using
a magnetic stripe scanner.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving, from a device at a
fixed location, the first message formatted for a location-based
service interface associated with a social network comprises using
an optical scanner.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving, from a device at a
fixed location, the first message formatted for a location-based
service interface associated with a social network comprises using
a radio-frequency scanner.
11. A method for enabling participation in a location-based social
network application, the method comprising: receiving, on a social
network interface, a user initiated communication including an
identifier associated with an entitlement token; linking a user
account on the social network to the identifier associated with the
entitlement token; receiving, from a fixed location, an indication
that the entitlement token was presented; and generating, in
response to the indication that the entitlement token was presented
at the fixed location, a communication sufficient to cause the
social network to modify user information on the social network
indicative of the user's presence at the fixed location.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of receiving, on a
social network application interface, a user initiated
communication further comprises receiving a portion of a gift card
account number.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of receiving, on a
social network application interface, further comprises receiving a
portion of a resort card account number.
14. The method of claim 11, wherein receiving, from a fixed
location, comprises a scan of the entitlement token.
15. A system for monitoring and presenting human activity,
comprising: a server coupled to a network and operable under
program control to provide a location-based service to a social
network, the server including: a user interface that prompts a user
of the social network to communicate an identifier associated with
an entitlement token, the server linking the identifier with user
account information on the social network; and a processor
configured to receive from a fixed location the identifier
associated with the entitlement token and in response to the
identifier, generate a message that directs the social network to
update a user status on the social network.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein the user interface receives an
identifier associated with an entitlement token that can be scanned
upon presentment.
17. The system of claim 15, wherein the identifier associated with
an entitlement token includes a unique portion of an account
number.
18. The system of claim 15, wherein the processor periodically
checks a cache of identifiers received from entitlement tokens
presented at the fixed location.
19. The system of claim 18, wherein the processor further receives
a site identifier associated with the fixed location.
20. The system of claim 19, wherein the processor publishes the
user status responsive to the site identifier on the social
network.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] A location-based service is an information or entertainment
service, accessible with mobile devices through a mobile network.
Such a location-based service generally uses the geographical
location of the mobile device. The first location-based services
were introduced in Europe and included services to locate friends,
advertisers, and a caller seeking emergency services. Recent
advancements in global positioning systems (GPS), mobile-network
operator, and GPS independent techniques have led to a plethora of
location-based services including those that provide recommended
social events, show the present location of people of interest on a
map, turn-by-turn directions to a given address or the nearest
business or service. Some other location-based services provide
alerts, advertising, or seek real-time feedback from the owner of
the mobile device concerning traffic, restaurants, services or
other venues registered or otherwise known to the location-based
service.
[0002] A category of social media tools enable people to use
GPS-enabled mobile devices to "check-in" at different locations.
Some of these social media tools incorporate a game aspect or offer
other enticements to encourage their use. The user of the mobile
device uses a browser to visit a website that provides the social
media location-based service. The user can "check-in" when they
visit a venue as confirmed by the geographical information provided
by a mobile device embedded GPS circuit or other provider
techniques. The typical check-in process requires the user to open
an application on their mobile device, search for the location or
venue to determine if it has been registered or is otherwise known
to the location-based service, and actively request to "check-in"
to the location.
[0003] For some location-based social media tools, if the location
of the user's mobile device cannot be determined as being within a
pre-determined range of the venue, the user is prevented from
checking in at the venue. This can occur when the mobile device is
indoors or the embedded GPS circuit/service is presently disabled
on the mobile device. When the location of the mobile device cannot
be confirmed, the user must move to a location with better
reception, and/or enable the GPS circuit and wait for confirmation
of the device's present location, or for the mobile service
provider to otherwise confirm that the phone is within the accepted
range for the user to be considered to be at the venue.
[0004] However interested the user is in completing a "check-in"
operation when they visit a particular venue, some users are unable
to because of the absence of location information. Other user may
simply forget that they have to actively use their mobile device
while near the venue to "check-in." In still other cases, users are
just too busy to take the time to reach into their pocket to
complete the required steps to initiate a "check-in" request with
the social media web site. In addition to these problems with the
check-in process, use of these social media tools has become so
popular and in some cases so competitive that some users are
starting to complain of "check-in" fatigue.
[0005] At least one social media tool, Google Latitude.RTM.,
enables its users to automatically "check-in" at user specified
locations when a mobile device running Google.RTM. Maps and Google
Latitude.RTM. is confirmed to be in close proximity to the
specified location. Google.RTM. and Google Latitude.RTM. are
registered trademarks of Google, Inc. of Mountain View, Calif.,
U.S.A. For iPhone.RTM. users that have downloaded and installed the
next generation operating system, which enables applications to run
in a background mode, there is an application available that allows
users to automatically "check-in" to their favorite locations when
they are in close proximity to them. iPhone.RTM. is a registered
trademark of Apple, Inc. of Cupertino, Calif., U.S.A. The Google
Latitude.RTM. auto check-in service has also been adapted to work
with mobile devices enabled by the open source operating system,
middleware and applications commonly known as "Android." These
attempts to automate the "check-in" process are dependent upon
specific combinations of mobile device hardware, operating system,
and/or mobile application software. It is often the case that a
user of a social network interested in an automated solution to the
check-in process does not have a combination of hardware, operating
system, and/or mobile application software that is capable of
accomplishing an automated check-in.
SUMMARY
[0006] Embodiments for automatic check-in to a social network
recognized location include a method for enabling participation in
a social network including the steps of receiving user
identification information and a user indication of intent to
participate in a social network application and receiving, from a
device at a fixed location, a first message including an identifier
associated with the fixed location and formatted for a
location-based service interface associated with a social network,
the first message sufficient to cause the social network to
implement at least one behavior.
[0007] An alternative embodiment of a method for enabling
participation in a location-based social network application
includes the steps of receiving, on a social network application
interface, a user initiated communication including an identifier
associated with an entitlement token, linking a user account on the
social network to the identifier associated with the entitlement
token, receiving, from a fixed location, an indication that the
entitlement token was presented and generating, in response to the
indication that the entitlement token was presented at the fixed
location, a communication sufficient to cause the social network to
modify user information on the social network indicative of the
user's presence at the fixed location.
[0008] An embodiment of a system for monitoring and presenting
human activity is implemented in a server coupled to a network. The
server includes a user interface and a processing interface. The
user interface prompts a user of the social network to communicate
an identifier associated with an entitlement token. The server
links the identifier with user account information on the social
network. The processing interface receives from a fixed location
the identifier associated with the entitlement token and in
response forwards a message that directs the social network to
update a user status on the social network.
[0009] Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the
invention will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art
upon examination of the following figures and detailed description.
It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features,
and advantages be included within this description, be within the
scope of the invention, and be protected by the accompanying
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0010] The systems and methods for location-based automated
check-in to a social network recognized location using a token can
be better understood with reference to the following figures. The
components within the figures are not necessarily to scale,
emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the
principles for automating the check-in process at social network
recognized locations. Moreover, in the figures, like reference
numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different
views.
[0011] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a
system for monitoring and presenting human activity through
presentment of an entitlement token at a fixed location.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of
an interface implemented by the mobile application server of FIG. 1
for receiving user information and entitlement token
information.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of
a table that is periodically analyzed by the mobile application
server of FIG. 1 to identify the presence of the entitlement holder
at a fixed location.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of
a web page published by a location-based social network enabled by
the mobile application server of FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of
a web page published by a second social network enabled by the
social network server of FIG. 1.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating the operation of an
embodiment of a method for enabling participation in a social
network.
[0017] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating the operation of an
alternative embodiment of a method for enabling participation in a
social network.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] An entitlement token is a visible or tangible representation
of one's right or authority to some benefit. A printed ticket,
coupon, gift card, resort benefit card, etc. are all examples of
items or entitlement tokens that people use to gain access to a
venue, to enter a service queue, or to purchase goods or services.
Entitlement tokens include unique information that is used when the
tokens are presented at a fixed location. Often, information on an
entitlement token is scanned, entered, or otherwise added to a
computer-enabled system. Tickets and coupons are optically scanned
for verification of authenticity, correctness of the date of use
with either a date certain or a range of dates, amounts, and
perhaps other information. Gift cards, resort benefit cards, debit
cards, and other cash equivalents are integrated with magnetic
strips that are encoded with personal identification numbers,
amounts, limits, room numbers or access codes, as well as user
specific and account specific information. In addition to tokens
that can be read or scanned magnetically and optically, entitlement
tokens can be read and authenticated using near field communication
(NFC) techniques. NFC complements other wireless radio-frequency
based communication protocols by enabling a user to use a single
device across multiple systems. NFC enables devices to share
information at a distance of less than 4 centimeters.
[0019] Systems and methods for enabling a holder of a
location-based social network account to automatically check-in at
a social network recognized location take advantage of the
presentment, by the account holder, of an entitlement token at the
recognized location. In a registration or authorization step, the
holder of the location-based social network account uses an
interface to enter a unique identifier associated with an
entitlement token. The social network associates or links the user
account to the unique identifier from the entitlement token. A
periodic analysis of presented entitlement token information
reveals when the user of the location-based social network account
has presented the associated entitlement token at the fixed
location. In response to an indication that the unique identifier
from the entitlement token was presented at the fixed location, the
location-based social network responds by reacting as if the user
of the location-based social network account had generated a
check-in request from their mobile device while proximally located
to the fixed location.
[0020] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a
system 100 for monitoring and presenting human activity through
presentment of an entitlement token. The system 100 comprises a
mobile application server 120 and a social network server 130,
which are coupled to one another via network 110. The network 110
can include any number of wired and/or wireless communication links
via any suitable protocols. The network 110 includes, for example,
the Internet, the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN),
cellular or mobile network(s), local area network(s), wide area
network(s), or any other suitable communication infrastructure. In
addition to the servers, the system 100 includes a personal
computing device, such as the laptop 180, which is coupled to the
network 110 via a wireless communications medium and wireless
access point 115. In preferred embodiments, users communicate via
web browsers, such as the web browser 185 enabled on the laptop
computer 180, with web sites enabled by the mobile application
server 120 and the social network server 130.
[0021] The mobile application server 120 is a computing device or a
cluster of computing devices that is configured to provide one or
more services to other devices coupled to the network 110. The
mobile application server 120 runs or executes software to enable
web site 122 and location-based application page 200. The mobile
application server 120 also executes a presentment analyzer 300,
which monitors a table 350 and communicates certain matches in the
table 350 with the web site 122. The location-based application
page 200 will be described in association with the schematic
diagram illustrated in FIG. 2. The presentment analyzer 300 will be
described in association the table 350 illustrated in FIG. 3. Those
skilled in the art should appreciate and understand that the
location-based service and the social network can be implemented on
the same computing device, if so desired. It should also be
appreciated and understood that the presentment analyzer 300 can be
implemented on a separate computing device coupled to the mobile
application server 120 via the network 110.
[0022] The social network server 130 is a computing device or a
cluster of computing devices that is configured to provide one or
more services to other devices coupled to the network 110. The
social network server 130 runs or executes software to enable web
site 132 and social network web page 400. The social network web
page 400 will be described in association with the schematic
diagram illustrated in FIG. 4.
[0023] In addition to the computing devices, namely, the mobile
application server 120, the social network server 130 and the
laptop 180, the system 100 includes point-of-sale (POS) device 145,
at fixed location 140, and scanner 155, at fixed location 150. The
POS device 145 and the scanner 155 are coupled to the network 110
via one or more respective wireless or wired networks. The POS
device 145 includes a magnetic strip reader, a radio-frequency
identifier tag interrogator or reader, or an optical reader such as
an image scanner or camera. In whatever form factor, the POS device
145 is used to obtain information from an entitlement token 160 at
the fixed location 140. Information obtained from the entitlement
token 160 includes one or more unique information items that can be
used to identify the user and/or the entitlement token 160. These
one or more unique information items together with a unique site
identifier 142 are communicated via the network 110 or a
proprietary network connection (not shown) to the mobile
application server 120.
[0024] Fixed location 140 can be a retail store, cafe, hotel,
airport terminal, library, or other location known to a
location-based service. The fixed location 140 is associated with
or identified by site identifier 142. The site identifier 142 is
any sequence of alphanumeric and/or numeric characters that
specifically identifies the retail store, cafe, hotel, airport
terminal, library, or other location to a location-based service
enabled by software executed on the mobile application server 120.
Entitlement token 160, held by a user of an account with the
location-based service, is presented to an agent of the retail
store, cafe, hotel, airport terminal, library, or other venue to
purchase goods or services. Alternatively, if the user is
purchasing goods or service from a self-service kiosk or
self-service check-out line at the venue, the user presents the
entitlement token 160 to POS device 145, which reads or scans the
entitlement token 160 to authorize a transaction.
[0025] Similarly, the scanner 155 includes a magnetic strip reader,
a radio-frequency identifier tag interrogator or reader, or an
optical reader such as an image scanner or camera. In whatever form
factor, the scanner 155 is used to obtain information from an
entitlement token 170 at the fixed location 150. Information
obtained from the entitlement token 170 includes one or more unique
information items that can be used to identify the user and/or the
entitlement token 170. These one or more unique information items
together with a unique site identifier 152 are communicated via the
network 110 or a proprietary network connection (not shown) to the
mobile application server 120.
[0026] Fixed location 150 can be an entry gate into a national
park, an amusement park, an entry point into a queue for a specific
service or attraction at the amusement park, a kiosk at a theatre
or other location known to, or recognized by, a location-based
service enabled by software executed on the mobile application
server 120. The fixed location 150 is associated with or identified
by site identifier 152. The site identifier 152 is any sequence of
alphanumeric and/or numeric only characters that specifically
identifies the national park, amusement park, service or attraction
at the amusement park, theatre, or other location. Entitlement
token 170, held by a user of an account with the location-based
service, is presented to an agent of the park or attraction to be
scanned by a device, or alternatively presented by the user to a
device to access the park, attraction queue, or theatre.
[0027] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of
an interface implemented by the mobile application server 120 of
FIG. 1 for receiving a user indication of intent to participate in
a social network application, user identification information and
unique entitlement token information. A new user to the
location-based service is presented an alternative web page (not
shown) for entering user information such as first name, surname,
username and password. Otherwise, in a registration or
authorization process, the holder of a location-based social
network account uses the web browser 185 to select a link to a web
page to communicate a unique identifier associated with an
entitlement token to the location-based service. By linking the
unique identifier from the entitlement token with the user account,
the mobile application server 120 can identify or confirm that the
account holder is present at the fixed location. Thereafter, the
mobile application server 120 generates a message or messages
sufficient to cause the social network to implement a behavior as
if the user had logged onto to the location-based service and
generated a request to check-in at the fixed location. When so
configured, the location-based service will broadcast or otherwise
communicate information to a social network or messaging service to
inform others that the user of the location-based service has
checked in at the fixed location.
[0028] A link or pushbutton is presented on a web page (not shown)
generated by the mobile application server 120 indicating to the
holder of the account on the location-based service that they can
automate the "check-in" process when they visit an identified
Disney venue or location within a venue. In the example illustrated
in FIG. 2, the holder of the user account on the location-based
service has selected the link or pushbutton indicating their desire
to automate the "check-in" process for the Disney Store at Times
Square in New York, N.Y., U.S.A. Similar web pages (not shown) may
be configured for a user to communicate their desire to automate
the "check-in" process at other select Disney locations or venues.
The example location-based application web page 200 is published by
the mobile application server 120 to the web browser 185 operative
on the user's laptop computer 180. The web page 200 includes a
title bar 202, first navigation bar 204, second navigation bar 206
and a main panel 208 that indicates to the user that they will be
linking their Disney Gift Card with a location-based service. In
the illustrated embodiment, the uniform resource locator identified
in the first navigation bar 204 indicates that the user will be
linking their Disney Gift Card with the location-based service
Gowalla.RTM.. Gowalla.RTM. is a registered trademark of Gowalla,
Inc. of Austin, Tex., U.S.A. However, other location-based check-in
services such as Foursquare, Whrrl, MyTown, etc., can also be so
configured. Foursquare.RTM. is a registered trademark of Foursquare
Labs, Inc. of New York, N.Y., U.S.A. Whrrl.RTM. is a registered
trademark of Pelago, Inc., of Seattle, Wash., U.S.A. MyTown is a
trademark of Booyah, Inc. of San Francisco, Calif., U.S.A.
[0029] The title bar 202 includes the name and location of the
fixed location or venue where the holder of the account on the
location-based service wishes to automatically check in. The title
bar 202 may include additional information. The first navigation
bar 204 includes pushbuttons that when selected direct the web
browser to, go back one page, go forward one page, and refresh or
reload the current page, respectively. In addition, to the
pushbuttons, the first navigation menu 204 includes an address
entry field that shows the web address or uniform resource locator
of the web page 200.
[0030] The second navigation bar 206 includes links for navigating
or traversing various other web pages within the web site of the
location-based service. In the illustrated example, the second
navigation bar 206 includes links to a "home" page, a page labeled
"Spots" to identify other known locations, a page labeled "Trips"
to identify one or more locations that once visited results in a
badge or award, a page labeled "Sign In" for members to enter the
site, and a page labeled "Join In" for non-members to join the
location-based service. The second navigation bar 206 may be
configured with more or less links as may be desired. For example,
in the example embodiment, the web page 200 also includes a link
labeled "Blog" for members of the location-based service to view or
post messages about their experiences.
[0031] In accordance with the main panel 208, the holder of the
user account authorizes the social network (e.g., a location-based
service) to link a Disney Gift Card with the location-based
service. The main panel 208 includes a data entry field 210 for the
user to enter a select portion of the account number from their
Disney Gift Card. Preferably, the data entry field 210 is arranged
to accept only enough characters to distinguish a unique Disney
Gift Card account number and not the entire number. By requiring
only a unique portion of the account number to identify the
entitlement token (i.e., the Disney Gift Card) there is less risk
that an intercepted account number can be misused to purchase goods
or services by someone other than a holder of the Disney Gift Card.
In the example embodiment, the first twelve digits of a user
account number are entered into the data entry field 210. In
addition to the data entry field 210 the web page 200 includes
pushbutton 212 labeled "Clear," pushbutton 214 labeled "Enter,"
checkbox 216 and link to review terms of use. The selection of
pushbutton 212 removes all information from the data entry field
210. The selection of pushbutton 214 directs the location-based
service to store the entered portion of the account number and to
link the same with the user's account. By selecting the checkbox
216, the user is acknowledging their agreement with the terms of
use and their intent for the location-based service to enable an
automated "check-in" operation when the user presents their Disney
Gift Card at the Disney Store at Times Square in New York, N.Y.,
U.S.A. It should be understood that additional web pages may be
configured to associate one or more identifiers with one or more
other entitlement tokens at other known locations where it is
desired for the presentment of the entitlement token to be used as
a location identifier by the location-based service. In other
words, an entitlement token may be linked with a social network in
other ways by leveraging application program interfaces.
[0032] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of
a table 350 that is periodically analyzed or queried by the
presentment analyzer 300 operating on the mobile application server
120 of FIG. 1 to identify the presence of the entitlement holder at
a fixed location. In the example embodiment, the table 350 includes
any number of records consisting of a unique token identifier 352
and a site identifier 354. While date and time entries can be added
to the table 350, this information can be maintained or otherwise
determined by the presentment analyzer 300 or other software
operative on the mobile application server 120. As indicted above,
an entitlement token such as token 160 is presented and scanned at
location 140 to purchase an item at a Disney Store location.
Information received from the token 160, together with transaction
information such as the date, time and a unique store identifier,
are communicated via one or more communication links over network
110 to the mobile application server 120.
[0033] The presentment analyzer 300, operating under the direction
of the location-based service, searches the table 350 for records
that include a unique token identifier 352 and a site identifier
354 pair. Such pairs, indicated by the values in bold font in the
table 350, identify an entitlement token and fixed location linked
to each other by the web site 122. When such a pair is identified
in the table 350, the location-based service responds by reacting
as if the user of the location-based social network account had
generated a check-in request from their mobile device while
proximally located to the fixed location.
[0034] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of
a web page 400 published by a location-based social network enabled
by the mobile application server 120 of FIG. 1. The example
location-based application web page 400 is published by the mobile
application server 120 to the web browser 185 operative on the
user's laptop computer 180 or any other web browser on a computing
device coupled to the network 110. The web page 400 includes a
title bar 402, first navigation bar 404, second navigation bar 406
and a body with multiple information inserts or panels. The example
web page 400 is published or served by the location-based check-in
service Gowalla.RTM. and is dedicated to showing those
location-based service subscribers that have checked-in at the
Disney Store located in Times Square.
[0035] The title bar 402 includes the name and location of the
fixed location or venue where the holder of the account on the
location-based service has checked in. The title bar 402 may
include additional information. The first navigation bar 404
includes pushbuttons that when selected, direct the web browser to
go back one page, go forward one page, and refresh or reload the
current page, respectively. In addition, to the pushbuttons, the
first navigation menu 404 includes an address entry field that
shows the web address or uniform resource locator of the web page
400. The second navigation bar 406 includes links for navigating or
traversing various other web pages within the web site of the
Gowalla.RTM. location-based check-in service. In the illustrated
example, the second navigation bar 406 includes links to a "home"
page, a page labeled "Spots" to identify other known locations, a
page labeled "Trips" to identify one or more locations that once
visited results in a badge or award, a page labeled "Sign In" for
members to enter the site, and a page labeled "Join In" for
non-members to join the location-based service. The second
navigation bar 406 may be configured with more or less links as may
be desired. For example, in the example embodiment, the web page
400 also includes a link labeled "Blog" for members of the
location-based service to view or post messages about their
experiences.
[0036] The body of the web page 400 includes an information panel
408 that welcomes observers to the Disney Store on Gowalla.RTM. and
informs them that applications are available for various mobile
devices or mobile device platforms. Information panel 410 includes
a description of the location and a running scorecard of the number
of check-ins recorded at the location. A user photo panel 420
includes a set of photos that have been shared or uploaded to the
site by various visitors to the Disney Store. A user check-in panel
430 includes a personal photo or avatar, a user name and an
indication when the user checked in at the location. A local map
insert 440 includes a street map of the area immediately
surrounding the location to assist visitors to the web page 400 in
locating the Disney Store when they visit Times Square. A location
information insert 450 includes the name, address and telephone
number of the location as well as links to the Disney Store website
and to a social network that uses short messaging service messages.
A leader board insert 460 includes a list of the users that have
checked in the most at the store. An asterisk or other indicator
can be added to those visitors that automatically check in when
they use a Disney Gift Card or other linked entitlement token as a
way of promoting the automatic check-in service.
[0037] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of
a web page 500 published by a second social network enabled by the
social network server 130 of FIG. 1. The example web page 500 is
published by the social network server 130 to the web browser 185
operative on the user's laptop computer 180 or any other web
browser on a computing device coupled to the network 110. The web
page 500 is arranged with a title bar 502, first navigation bar
504, second navigation bar 506 and a body with multiple information
inserts or panels. The example web page 500 is published or served
by the social network Twitter.RTM., which permits others interested
in following messages posted by the featured individual at the
site. Twitter.RTM. is a registered trademark of Twitter, Inc. of
San Francisco, Calif., U.S.A. The body includes a first information
panel 510 that includes information about the featured individual
as well as their most recent messages. The body also includes a
sign-up panel 512 with a link 514 that enables a visitor to the web
page 500 to authorize the social network to link or forward the
messages of the featured individual to the "follower." When the
location-based service is so configured, the location-based service
will generate a message via Twitter's published application program
interface (API) as if it was produced by the user of the social
network account from a browser on their mobile device when the
automatic check-in has been posted.
[0038] For example, if I.M. Heer has linked their Disney Gift Card
to authorize an automatic check-in via Gowalla.RTM. when they use
the Disney Gift Card at the Disney Store in Times Square, upon
receipt of transaction information indicating that I.M. Heer has
used the Disney Gift Card at the Disney Store in Times Square, the
location-based service will add a check-in entry for I.M. Heer. If
I.M. Heer has communicated a preference to inform followers on
another social network when she has checked in at the Disney Store
in Times Square, the location-based service will generate an
appropriate message by generating an API call to Twitter to
announce or otherwise share the "check-in" with the social network.
The social network, in turn, posts the message as if it was written
by I.M. Heer using a browser on her mobile device.
[0039] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating the operation of an
embodiment of a method 600 for enabling participation in a social
network. The method 600 begins in block 602 where a location-based
service enabled on a mobile application server 120 receives a user
identifier and an indication of the user's intent to participate in
a social network. In the example embodiment, the user is an account
holder with the location-based check-in service Gowalla.RTM.. As
described above, Gowalla.RTM. is an online location-based social
networking game where users share their experiences as they travel
to particular points of interest.
[0040] Thereafter, as indicated in block 604, the location-based
service receives, from a device at a fixed location, a first
message including an identifier of the fixed location and formatted
for an interface of the social network sufficient to cause the
social network to implement a behavior as if the user had generated
a second message from a mobile device. In an embodiment, the first
message includes transaction information read or otherwise
retrieved from a POS device or scanner at a retail store such as
the Disney Store in Times Square, New York, N.Y. The transaction
information includes a unique site identifier and unique
information encoded on an entitlement token that the user
previously shared with the location-based social network service.
The location-based social network service analyzes transaction
information from one or more Disney Store locations and when it is
determined that the entitlement token was presented by the user at
the Disney Store in Times Square, as identified by the unique site
identifier in the first message, the location-based social network
service automatically adds a check-in entry on the web page
associated with the Disney Store in Times Square on behalf of the
user. The result of the automated check-in entry appears no
different to observers of the web page published by the
location-based social network service than check-in messages
received from the user or other users that check-in using
conventional methods via browsers enabled on mobile devices.
[0041] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating the operation of an
alternative embodiment of a method for enabling participation in a
social network. The method 700 begins with block 702 where a
location-based service enabled on a mobile application server 120
receives, on a social network interface, a user initiated
communication including an identifier associated with an
entitlement token. In the example embodiment, the user initiated
communication is enabled via a web page arranged to receive a
unique portion of a Disney Gift Card account number. The web page,
such as the example web page 200, indicates to the user that use of
the entitlement token at a particular Disney Store will result in
an automatic check-in by the user on the location-based social
network. In block 704, the location-based service links a user
account on the social network to the identifier associated with the
entitlement token received from the user in block 702.
[0042] Thereafter, as indicated in block 706, the location-based
service receives, from a fixed location, an indication that the
entitlement token was presented. In an embodiment, the indication
that the entitlement token was presented is in the form of
transaction information received from one or more Disney Store
locations. The transaction information includes an account number
associated with the entitlement token and an identifier of the
fixed location. Next, in block 708, the location-based social
network service generates, in response to the indication that the
entitlement token was presented at the fixed location, a
communication sufficient to cause the social network to modify user
information on the social network indicative of a user's presence
at the fixed location. As indicated above, the location-based
social network service automatically adds a check-in entry on the
web page associated with the Disney Store in Times Square on behalf
of the user. The result of the automated check-in entry appears no
different to observers of the web page published by the
location-based social network service than check-in messages
received from the user or other users that check-in using
conventional methods via browsers enabled on mobile devices. When
the user has indicated via preferences or otherwise that they wish
to share their check-in with other social networks, the
location-based service generates and communicates an appropriate
message for updating the user's status on one or more other social
networks. These other social networks can include Twitter.RTM.,
Facebook.RTM., or others. Facebook.RTM. is a registered trademark
of Facebook, Inc. of Palo Alto, Calif., U.S.A.
[0043] While various embodiments of the invention have been
described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the
art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible
that are within the scope of the systems and methods for enabling
participation in a social network as defined in the following
claims.
* * * * *